Airbus Goes From Sponsor To Participant At This Year's Dubai Rugby Sevens

One of the main Dubai Rugby Sevens sponsors, aircraft manufacturers Airbus, "have taken their involvement to a new level" this year, according to GULF NEWS. Along with its role as a sponsor, Airbus "will also be taking part in the event." Airbus "will be among the 213 teams taking part in this year’s invitation tournament" from Nov. 28-30. Company spokesperson Pierre Ligneres said, "The opportunity to play rugby and spend time with other teams from different nationality is very interesting. Several divisions of Airbus are represented, and our players range from 36 to 55 years." Airbus "will not be turning up as rookies." It is "already active in the 15-a-side game in France." So "what are the chances of a sponsors’ team lifting a trophy during the tournament?" Ligneres: “It would be lovely, but I don’t expect it for our first participation in the tournament” (GULF NEWS, 11/18).